Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
If you’ve been following me for at least a year, you will know every February like clockwork Steve and I go to Cancun, Mexico for vacation.
We weren’t even sure if our February 2020 trip was going to happen as the rumblings of COVID-19 were ramping up.
Thankfully, we were able to go and things with COVID-19 didn’t really pop off until March.
Unfortunately, this coming February we won’t be able to make that trip.
I mean, if we want to get technical, we could go on the trip as flights are still going and the resorts are open.
But, Steve can’t take 3 weeks off work, one for the trip and two to quarantine when we would get home.
I won’t lie, I am really sad.
Our yearly trip is more than a warm beach vacation. It is time the two of us desperately need away from work and the kids, and for the two of us to reconnect without distractions!
You are probably wondering “why is Aimee talking about Cancun in her Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe post?”
Well, you see, when we go to Cancun we always have dinner off the resort a few times while we are there.
For years it has always been Olive Garden and Outback Steakhouse. Sadly, the last trip we found out that the Outback Steakhouse had closed down.
We were a little bummed but decided to check out the Hard Rock Café instead.
And folks, that is where I had the BEST buffalo cauliflower bites I had ever eaten at a restaurant.
While I am no Hard Rock Café chef, my Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe comes pretty damn close and it is incredible!
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These Buffalo Cauliflower Bites pack some serious crunch and flavour. Make them as an appetizer or pair with a fresh salad for a light meal!
Also, don’t forget to check out 50 other awesome appetizer and quick meal ideas at the end of the blog post below.
What You Will Need:
For the Roasted Cauliflower
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
For the Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup hot sauce (up to 1 1/2 cups if you want it extra spicy)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Additional Ingredients
- Parsley or Green Onion, for garnish
- Ranch or Blue Cheese, to serve
Yields: 2-4 servings
How To Make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Follow along with the Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip step-by-step process photos and then find the printable recipe below!
Gather all of the ingredients you will need to make the buffalo cauliflower bites recipe.
Let’s Make the Roasted Cauliflower
Preheat your oven to 425F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour buttermilk.
In another medium-sized bowl, add the panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and paprika.
Dip the cauliflower florets, a few at a time, into the wet mixture.
Allow any excess wet mixture to drip off and then place the florets into the panko.
Toss them to ensure they’re coated on all sides and then transfer the battered florets to the parchment-lined sheet pan.
Roast the cauliflower for 25-30 minutes, or until it has become crispy and gold brown.
Set the cauliflower aside while you make the buffalo sauce, but don’t turn off the oven quite yet!
Let’s Make the Buffalo Sauce
Place the hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and paprika in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally until the butter has melted.
If the mixture starts to separate, whisk it vigorously and it will come back together.
Spoon as much sauce as you’d like over the crispy cauliflower and toss to combine.
Save any leftover sauce for dipping!
Time to Crisp & Serve
Return the buffalo cauliflower to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cauliflower is crisp and starting to turn dark brown around the edges.
Garnish with chopped parsley or green onion and serve immediately.
Look at that deliciousness!!!
Don’t forget the dip – enjoy!
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
Roasted Cauliflower
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup hot sauce (up to 1 1/2 cups if you want it extra spicy)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Garnish + Dip
- Parsley or Green Onion, for garnish
- Ranch or Blue Cheese, to serve
Instructions
Make the Roasted Cauliflower
- Preheat your oven to 425F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour buttermilk.
- In another medium-sized bowl, add the panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dip the cauliflower florets, a few at a time, into the wet mixture. Allow any excess to drip off and then place the florets into the panko. Toss them to ensure they’re coated on all sides and then transfer the battered florets to the parchment-lined sheet pan. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
- Roast the cauliflower for 25-30 minutes, or until it has become crispy and gold brown. Set the cauliflower aside while you make the buffalo sauce— but don’t turn off the oven quite yet!
Make the Buffalo Sauce
- Place the hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and paprika in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the butter has melted. If the mixture starts to separate, whisk it vigorously and it will come back together.
- Spoon as much sauce as you’d like over the crispy cauliflower and toss to combine. Save any leftover sauce for dipping!
Crisp & Serve
- Return the buffalo cauliflower to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cauliflower is crisp and starting to turn dark brown around the edges.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onion and serve immediately with your choice of dip.
Notes
- This recipe is best eaten immediately as the cauliflower will start to soften and lose its crunch. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Just toss them in the air fryer to crisp them back up.
- To make this recipe vegan, swap the buttermilk for unsweetened almond or soy milk.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, regular milk will work as well.
- Panko bread crumbs are larger and crispier than traditional breadcrumbs -- make sure to use panko for the most crunch!
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